Stone Guardian(84)

Nalith lunged again, but his arm was overextended. That was the opening needed. Terak grabbed his arm and wrapped his tail around one of Nalith’s ankles. Nalith pulled back but overcompensated the other way, and with Terak’s tail still around his ankle he was not able to right himself. He collapsed, and Terak grabbed the sword.

Several warriors came and restrained Nalith, taking him to the dungeon.

Malek approached Terak. “Is the human well?”

“Yes. She is unharmed. I saw her emerge from a side door during the assault on the club and collected her.” Terak placed a hand on Malek’s shoulder. “The attack was executed flawlessly. You did well. Were there any problems?”

“No. There were no injuries on either side, and everything went according to plan.” Malek looked uneasy then, his head dropping a few inches. “The Oracle came up behind me. She told me you had the woman and asked if I could retreat because she wished to get her nails done.”

“She is indeed a being unlike any other.”

“That is one way to phrase it.”

“Mennak.” Krikus’ voice cut through the low rumble of the crowd who had not dispersed.

Terak looked away from Malek in the direction of the sound. Krikus was coming through the crowd in battle armaments that gave reminder to his days as a great warrior before he became a Council member.

“Yes, Councilor?”

Krikus came to stand before him, metal bracers reflecting the light around them. “Was there any truth in Nalith’s words this night?”

His people stood silent as they witnessed the second great clash of the evening. “Let us be plain. What is it you wish to know, Krikus?”

“Your Clan deserves to know the truth of the situation regarding the human.”

The crowd had grown around him, wave upon wave of his people. There could be no more subterfuge. He would be the leader that would make his father – make Larissa – proud, or he would not be leader at all.

“I have only always wished for the good of my people. It has been what has guided me from the moment I have been born. However, Nalith has spoken some truth. I am lost without my little human. She is my mate, my Meyja,” Terak said, ignoring the gasps that surrounded him. “And I proclaim her so in front of all of you. I will live at her side, and if the Clan cannot accept her as my mate, then I will leave the Clan.”

Krikus alone seemed unsurprised by Terak’s proclamation. “And to accept the human is to accept living amongst the other races of the realms, is that not true?”

“We no longer have the luxury of isolating ourselves.”

Krikus stared him down, something the older gargoyle had not done since Terak was a boy. “You have given the Clan much to consider. You must allow Council and Clan time to discuss.”

Krikus’ words might say consider, but Terak knew. He had lost his Clan this night. They would not follow Nalith or Valry, but damage had been done and they would follow him no longer. He was strong enough he could hold on through sheer force, but no, that was not the leader he wished to be. If the Clan no longer wished to follow him, he would honor that wish.

Surprising, he thought it would hurt more. But Larissa’s face blazed bright in dark places, and this decision was the easiest he had ever made. Terak nodded at Krikus and watched the older gargoyle departed, leaving him alone except for Malek. There was nothing more for him here, and he spread his wings for flight.

“Mennak-”Malek stopped him, placing a hand on Terak’s shoulder. The younger gargoyle looked vulnerable at that moment, a rare expression from his second-in-command.

Terak twisted his body, gripping Malek’s shoulder hard. “Calm, Malek. We both know how this will play out. You are ready for this role. I would not have selected you otherwise.”

“I am not capable of being half the leader you have been, Terak.”

“No, you will be greater. I will always be there if you have need of me. Be a good leader for our people. Guide them well. I am sorry I am leaving you with such a heavy burden, but none I have more faith in than you.” With a final squeeze, Terak opened his wings to their full span and he took flight.

Malek’s voice followed him. “Is she worth the loss of the Clan?”

She is worth everything.





Chapter Twenty-Nine





She was sleeping, his little human, her eyelashes soft shades under closed eyelids. Her lips made a little pout as she slept, as if she was waiting for a kiss. That was one request he would always grant.

He ghosted his lips over hers, bit by bit applying more pressure with each pass, until she woke. Those eyes opened, the room too dark to see their full color, but after the focused on him they relaxed, losing the lines of confusion and settling into happiness. “I’m sorry I fell asleep. It’s been a long day.”